NIOSA restoration funds up for grabs

Updated 11:10 pm, Saturday, September 22, 2012

Dee Smith stands in front of her Dignowity Hill bungalow. She bought the home at auction for $3,200 and has invested $80,000 in renovations in the structure.

Dee Smith stands in front of her Dignowity Hill bungalow. She bought the home at auction for $3,200 and has invested $80,000 in renovations in the structure.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

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Jorge Castro carries a piece of plywood while working on Dee Smith's Dignowity Hill bungalow home, which she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Jorge Castro carries a piece of plywood while working on Dee Smith's Dignowity Hill bungalow home, which she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the

Dee Smith stands in front of the Dignowity Hill bungalow home she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from the San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Dee Smith stands in front of the Dignowity Hill bungalow home she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from the San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

Image 4 of 6

Dee Smith stands in front of the Dignowity Hill bungalow home she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from the San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Dee Smith stands in front of the Dignowity Hill bungalow home she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from the San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Photo: Robin Jerstad, For The Express-News

Image 5 of 6

Jorge Castro (rear) and Alberto Cabatamoves work on Dee Smith's Dignowity Hill bungalow home, which she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration costs.

Jorge Castro (rear) and Alberto Cabatamoves work on Dee Smith's Dignowity Hill bungalow home, which she bought at auction for $3,200. Grants from San Antonio Conservation Society are aiding with the restoration

Dee Smith walks into her Dignowity Hill bungalow home, which she bought at auction for $3,200. She says she could not have completed the work on her circa-1920 house if not for the two grants from the conservation society, totaling $12,500, that funded porch repairs and window restoration.

Dee Smith knew when she bought a nearly century-old house that it was going to take some work to make it livable.

But after purchasing her wood-frame bungalow at an auction five years ago for $3,200 and pouring $80,000 into structural repairs, she needed help. For years, she has longed to move from the suburbs to the East Side, where she said she feels a strong sense of community.

The backing she sought to finish restoration of her historic dream home came from what might seem an unlikely source — proceeds from Fiesta's A Night in Old San Antonio.

Since 2000, the San Antonio Conservation Society has awarded nearly $1.9 million in grant funds generated by its annual four-night festival in La Villita to improve houses and commercial structures in the San Antonio area that are at least 50 years old.

Smith said she could not have completed the work on her circa-1920 house in the Dignowity Hill Historic District if not for the two grants from the conservation society, totaling $12,500, that funded porch repairs and window restoration.

Three grants, in 2005, 2007 and 2011, totaling about $17,500, funded repairs to brick walls of the 1918 church, designed by noted architect Alfred Giles, south of downtown.

“Without them, we would have had to raise at least $30,000,” since damage from heat and rain would set the church back when work was delayed, he said.

Nancy Avellar, conservation society president, said the projects at St. Anthony and in Dignowity Hill illustrate the benefit of putting NIOSA funds into preservation.

“In so many instances, entire neighborhoods and districts are positively impacted by the assistance we have provided to one owner,” she said.

The grants generally support exterior restoration or rehabilitation, and do not cover basic maintenance, fencing, landscaping, new construction or added features. Applicants must pay a $10 fee and provide quality digital photos. Entries must be delivered personally or by mail.

For more information, visit www.saconservation.org or contact the society at 210-224-6163 or conserve@saconservation.org.